June 15, 2012

What is a Kouign Amman?

om nom notes rating: 5 stars


It's only the best baked good ever! It's travesty that I have not had this delectable Breton, French pastry until this most recent trip to New York. Why don't they have more places that make this in California, especially in the Bay Area!


In short, a Kouign Amman is a baked specialty by the Bretons from Brittany, France. In Breton, the traditional language spoken in Brittany, Kouign means "cake" and Amman means "butter" (pronunciation: koo-ween ah-mon). 


The result? A "butter cake" that's flaky, buttery with a little salty goodness and a crunchy caramelized crust  all in one delicious treat. Literally, the kouign-amman is made by folding together layers of salted butter, sugar, and bread dough. It's almost like a croissant, puff pastry, and a palmier all in one - and it certainly is at the top of my list. It even beats the amazing Williams-Sonoma Croissants. That's saying a lot.


There are several places in New York that carry Kouign Ammans, but it is a signature at the Dominique Ansel Bakery in the South Village lovingly named the DKA ("Dominique's Kouign Amman"). The DKA along with the Perfect Little Egg Sandwich, complete with a garden sitting area made for a delightful breakfast visit. The only issue was that I really wanted to try everything on the menu, I must go back.


Yes the price was a bit steep, but these little treats take a lot of effort to make. Kudos to David Lebovitz and The Purple Foodie for taking that challenge on! As for me, I'll need to start the search for these around San Francisco - even if that means trekking all the way over to the Starter Bakery in Oakland, CA. 


I promise I'll come by to your store often if anyone starts selling these on the Peninsula :)


DKA - $5.25
Dominique's Kouign-Amman
Dominique's Kouign Amman: butter, salt, sugar, and flour

Caramelized on the outside, soft and flaky within
DKAs: a whole basket of them!
 Perfect Little Egg Sandwich - $5.00
Breakfast Sandwich in Soho
Perfect Little Egg Sandwich: egg, herbs, butter, on a brioche bun
Dominique Ansel Bakery

4.5 star rating
71 Yelp reviews as of 6/15/12

(212) 219-2773


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